Royal Pharmaceutical Society
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has appointed Scotland’s first consultant pharmacist, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has announced.
Jennifer Laskey was appointed as a consultant cancer pharmacist after demonstrating her consultant-level practice through a rigorous portfolio assessment that showed cross-boundary working and leadership across four pillars of practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
To be eligible to use the title of consultant pharmacist, individuals must be credentialed by the RPS and need to be working in an RPS-approved consultant post, which ensures standardisation across the UK.
In January 2024, Alison Strath, chief pharmaceutical officer for Scotland, issued guidance on the appointment of consultant pharmacists at health boards.
In her new role, Laskey will be supporting the West of Scotland Cancer Network, which coordinates commissioned strategic and improvement work programmes for cancer care between the government and health boards.
“To be appointed as the first consultant pharmacist in Scotland is a highly significant landmark for the pharmacy profession,” she said.
“Within my role, I am working across community, primary and acute care sectors to ensure that people in Scotland can access excellent cancer care now and in the future.”
The RPS took over credentialing of pharmacist consultant posts in England and Wales in 2020. In a 2022 survey, the RPS found that more than three quarters (77%) of advanced practice pharmacists said they would be interested in working in a consultant pharmacist role.
Commenting on the appointment, Joseph Oakley, associate director of assessment and credentialing at the RPS, said: “This is a major recognition of Jennifer’s significant expertise and experience across the four pillars of practice at a system level, as well as a recognition of the significant role consultant pharmacists can play in improving patient care.
“This is also a hugely welcome endorsement of our rigorous process, which the whole team at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as well as our dedicated pool of assessors, works so hard to deliver on behalf of the profession and patients.”
Laskey’s role is now listed on the RPS consultant pharmacist post directory.
